In his dark blue Broncos team-issued T-shirt and gym shorts, Karl Mecklenburg blended right in with the coaching staff Saturday morning. Mecklenburg, a Ring of Fame linebacker who played 12 years with the Broncos, is helping coach the team’s pass rushers in an unofficial capacity.

“They have some great skill. We’ve just got to get some coordination with the new guys,” said Mecklenburg, who had 79 career sacks. “It’s one of those things where I wasn’t as athletically gifted as a lot of these young guys, so I had to learn the technique better. I think I can teach them some technique that they don’t know.”

Terrell Davis also drew big cheers from the crowd when he arrived to watch the second half of practice.

“They’re trying to bring back the tradition that was gone for a little while and get us involved again,” Mecklenburg said.

Open competition. With Eddie Royal in San Diego, the Broncos have major voids in kick and punt returner roles.

Willis has played a big role on the Broncos’ special-teams coverage units, but he’s hoping to show coaches he can return as well. Willis ran track at UCLA and has the straight-line speed needed for kickoff returns.

“I’d love to do it. I didn’t do as well as I wanted at the end of last year returning kicks, but I know that if I get the opportunity I can do better,” Willis said. “I do feel a little more comfortable in kick return. I’m not as shifty as Eddie was or Syd’Quan is.”

Kuper making progress. Right guard Chris Kuper continues to take more snaps with the first-team offensive line, part of his recovery from a gruesome ankle injury suffered Jan. 1.

On Saturday, the first full-contact practice, Kuper lined up with other starters for one or two snaps
before being replaced by Manny Ramirez.

“We’re going to take it slow with him and just gradually work him back into it,” offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said. “He’ll probably tell you he wants to do more, but I’m not in charge of that and I’m not a doctor by any means. We just want to make sure he’s ready come the opener.”

Footnotes.Offensive tackle Orlando Franklin left practice early with what head coach John Fox called a “crick in his neck.” … The Broncos signed safety Anthony Perkins, an undrafted rookie from the University of Colorado. Perkins also attended Northglenn High.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tyreek Hill didn’t know what to do when he started hearing thousands of people in Arrowhead Stadium chanting his name, even as he stood all alone on the frozen turf waiting for the punt.